Toolless removable wear strip and/or guide rail for a conveyor

ABSTRACT

A wear strip for a conveyor having a frame with frame spacers is provided. There are two frame spacers at one end of the frame, each having at least one lock. The lock has a riser and a head, wherein the head is wider than the riser forming a generally but not limited to T-shaped profile. A wear strip having a hole with an upper cavity and a lower passage having a wide gap and narrow gap is provided. The wear strip can be secured by the lock. This is accomplished by mounting the wear strip on the frame spacers so that the head of the lock projects into the upper cavity of the wear strip. Then, the wear strip is longitudinally moved so that the riser enters the narrow gap in the wear strip. Longitudinal wear strips can be inserted that longitudinally lock the wear strips in place.

This United States utility patent application claims priority on and thebenefit of provisional application 62/609,175 filed Dec. 21, 2017, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wear strip for a conveyor, and inparticular to a wear strip that is replaceable without tools.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many types of conveyor systems currently exist. Many are designed withreplaceable wear parts that can be replaced as needed. Designing in wearelements can protect and extend the lifespan of the conveyor assembly,as individual components that are subject to stresses and damage duringuse can be replaced.

Some examples include:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,368 to Smith is titled Wear Strip Construction forConveyor. It shows an improved wear strip construction for a conveyor.The conveyor includes a pair of spaced side walls and the upper andlower extremities of each side wall are provided with inwardly extendingflanges. Metal wear strips are snap fitted on the upper flanges of theside walls and serve to support the side edges of a plastic link beltconveyor chain in a conveying path of travel, while a sinusoidal metalwear strip is supported on the lower flanges of the side walls andserves to support the link chain in its return path of travel.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,800 to Grimes et al. is titled Wear Strip. It showsa wear strip for conveyor chains comprising a flat upper wear memberhaving at least two spaced-apart holes therethrough for the reception ofconnection means, at least one linear support member joined to theunderside of the wear member, and at least two base members joined tothe underside of the wear member and having holes therethrough inregistry with the holes through the wear member. The whole wear strip ispreferably integrally injection molded, and each of the holes in thewear member are preferably countersunk on the upper surface. Twoembodiments are disclosed, one in which one linear support member isjoined to the wear member along each lateral edge thereof and one inwhich a single linear support member is joined to the wear member alongone lateral edge thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,480 to Butt is titled Conveyor Support Way. It showsa conveyor support way for a table top chain comprises a series ofalternating first and second cross members in spaced dispositiontransverse to the axis of the conveyor support way. Each of the firstcross members contains a first pair of open top spaces and each of saidsecond cross members contains a second pair of open top spaces, thefirst pair of spaces being disposed laterally inwardly of the secondpair of spaces. A pair of serpentine wear strips are provided to supportthe chain, each of the wear strips extending along the length of theseries of cross members, alternately through an associated one of thefirst cross member spaces and through an associated one of the secondcross member spaces. Each wear strip is axially slidably and easilyremovably mounted on the series of cross members.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,314 to Clopton is titled Conveyor System. It shows aconveyor system is provided comprising conveyor beams, conveyor framemembers, conveyor accessory mounting brackets, connectors, wearstripconverters, and various combinations of each. The conveyor beamcomprises first and second side walls connected in one piece by anintegral web, a first flange disposed along at least the tops of theside walls to support a conveyor, and at least two mounting slots onouter surfaces of each side wall. The conveyor frame members comprise atleast three mounting slots formed in sides thereof, at least one of themounting slots open to each of three different directions, and at leastone flange disposed along an edge of the frame member to support aconveying surface. The brackets are for mounting conveyor accessories tothe conveyor beams and frame members. The connectors are for connectingconveyor beams or frame members together. And the converters are foraltering the location or orientation of wearstrips.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,145 to Ledginham et al. is titled Apparatus forSupporting Conveyor Belts. It shows a multifunction return-way systemfor one or more chains in a conveyor system. U-shaped mounting clips,having U-shaped arm ends, are snapped onto cross members between frameportions of the conveyor system, and are shaped to have snapped thereinwear strips that are oriented in serpentine manner as viewed from above.Portions of the wear strips are maintained spaced apart by spacersmounted onto the rods and by spacer pins that are provided on themounting clips for association with each other or with side frames. Themounting clips are thus trapped in desired locations. Intermediateclips, or pinch clips, are provided to hold central regions of the wearstrips close to each other, at regions where there are no cross members.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,994 to Foster is titled Replaceable Wear Surface forConveyor Slats. It shows a replaceable wear plate assembly for areciprocating floor conveyor that includes a plurality of elongated slatmembers mounted adjacent each other in a common plane. A replaceablewear plate is provided for each slat member of the reciprocating floorconveyor. The slat members are formed with a ridge and inwardlyprojecting lip extending along the side edges of each slat member. Theridge and lip portion form a slot along the side edges of the slatmembers for receiving the side edges of the replaceable wear plates. Theridge and lip portion and the edges of the wear plates form a tongue andgroove arrangement whereby the movement of the wear plate is restrictedsideways and in a vertical direction. A connector is provided to secureeach wear plate to its slat member in order to restrict movement of thewear plate longitudinally along its length.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,426 to Foster is titled Snap-in Conveyor Slat WearPlate. It shows a wear plate for each conveyor slat of a reciprocatingfloor conveyor, each wear plate biased laterally by an O-ring tube, sothat one side edge of each wear plate is pressed into a slot formed by aside ridge and lip of a conveyor slat. O-ring tube biases wear platelaterally so that side edge is secured in slot and wear plate is held onconveyor slat.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,679 to Manchester is titled Conveyor Frame withRemovable Wear Strips. It shows a modular sanitary conveyor includes alongitudinal conveyor bed frame that is slidably received and supportedon a support stand and a motor and clutch assembly that is slidablyreceived and supported on the side of the frame. The frame has lateralside walls secured together by a series of cross members and has aserpentine support way for supporting belts and table top chains that isformed of individual wear strips that are installed, retained in place,and removed without the use of tools. Unitary bearings are slidablyreceived in slots at each end of the side walls and rotatably support adrive sprocket shaft and an idler sprocket shaft having respective drivesprockets and idler sprockets slidably received thereon. All componentscan be easily and quickly disassembled for cleaning and reassembledwithout the use of special tools.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,719 to Hosch et al. is titled Sanitary ConveyorTransfer Tail Assembly. It shows a transfer tail assembly for use with aconveyor assembly that creates a reduced radius transition from theupper run to the lower run of a continuous conveyor belt used with theconveyor assembly. The transfer tail assembly includes a stationary nosebar over which the continuous conveyor belt passes at the end of theconveyor assembly. The nose bar is supported at the end of the conveyorassembly by a series of support brackets mounted to a cross support.Each of the support brackets is formed from a wear resistant materialand contacts the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt passes around thetransfer tail assembly. The nose bar, support brackets and cross supportare mounted within the tail assembly without the use of any externalconnectors and thus require no tooling to assemble and disassemble.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,757,840 to Rogers et al. is titled Conveyor Wear BarAssembly. It shows an improved conveyor assembly includes a conveyorbelt for conveying a product to one or more product operations isdisclosed. Such conveyor assembly includes a pair of spaced apart sideframes that support the conveyor belt and between which the conveyorbelt rotates. The side frames are formed from an upstanding member and ainwardly extending horizontal member. Both the frame upstanding memberand the frame horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. Oneor more L-shaped brackets are formed from a generally upstanding memberand an inwardly extending member. Both the bracket upstanding member andthe bracket horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. Thebracket horizontal member slots are configured to overlay the frameelongate horizontal member slots, and the bracket upstanding memberslots are configured to overlay the frame upstanding member slots forattaching components to the frames.

None of these references show the present invention. Thus, there existsa need for a wear strip for a conveyor that solves these and otherproblems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wear strip for a conveyor having a frame with frame spacers isprovided. There are two frame spacers at one end of the frame, eachhaving at least one lock. The lock has a riser and a head, wherein thehead is wider than the riser forming a generally but not limited toT-shaped profile. A wear strip having a hole with an upper cavity and alower passage having a wide gap and narrow gap is provided. The wearstrip can be secured by the lock. This is accomplished by mounting thewear strip on the frame spacers so that the head of the lock projectsinto the upper cavity of the wear strip. Then, the wear strip islongitudinally moved so that the riser enters the narrow gap in the wearstrip. Longitudinal wear strips can be inserted that longitudinally lockthe wear strips in place.

According to one advantage of the present invention, the wear strip canbe easily removed without any tools. This is accomplished by the lockingfeatures of the present invention that secure the wear strips in place(vertically and longitudinally). The wear strips can be movable parallelto the frame longitudinal axis for removal. Longitudinal wear strips canbe inserted which abut the wear strips preventing them from beinglongitudinally moved for removal.

According to another advantage of the present invention, the framespacer has locks that have a riser and a head so that the lock has aT-shaped profile. The wear strip has a hole that mates with the lock.The hole has an upper cavity and a lower passage. The lower passage hasa wide gap and a narrow gap. The head of the lock can be passed throughthe wide passage so that it enters the upper cavity. Then, when the wearstrip is slid relative to the frame, the head vertically locks the wearstrip in place as the head cannot pass the narrow passage.

In another embodiment, a dynamic noser assembly is provided having anoser and a bearing shaft with bearings to increase the usefulness ofthe noser assembly. The noser assembly is easily removed from a lockedrelationship to pegs on frame spacers.

According to another advantage of the present invention, the dynamicnoser assembly is a dynamic sanitary noser. The nose can be made of asolid one-piece design.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the dynamicnoser is a sanitary dynamic noser assembly.

Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detaileddescription of the invention and studying the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but shows the belt removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an end of a conveyor with the beltremoved to expose idler wears strips that are vertically andlongitudinally locked relative to the frame.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but shows longitudinal wear strips beingremoved.

FIG. 5 is a similar to FIG. 4, but shows wear strips beinglongitudinally moved to an unlocked position.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but shows the wear strips being removed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the wear strips in a lockedposition.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the wear strip moved relative tothe locks so that the wear strip can be removed.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing the wear strip and frame spacers.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a wear strip.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top view of an additional embodiment of the presentinvention with wear strips shown in a locked position.

FIG. 15 is a close-up view of a portion of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 14, but shows the wear strips in an unlockedposition.

FIG. 17 is a close-up view of a portion of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14showing lower guides in locked positions.

FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 18, but shows the lower guides in unlockedpositions.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the lower guides in unlockedpositions.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the presentinvention showing a cope in a locked position.

FIG. 22 is an isolation perspective view of the cope shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is similar to FIG. 22, but shows the cope being unlocked byrotation.

FIG. 24 is similar to FIG. 22, but shows the cope in an unlockedposition.

FIG. 25 is similar to FIG. 24, but shows the cope removed from the pegsof the joint.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing an additional embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 27 is similar to FIG. 26, but shows the side strips in an explodedview.

FIG. 28 is similar to FIG. 27, but shows the side strips removed.

FIG. 29 is similar to FIG. 28, but shows the end strips in an explodedview.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 31 is similar to FIG. 30, but shows the belt removed to reveal twonosers.

FIG. 32 is similar to FIG. 31, but shows the top noser slid in onedirection relative to an end frame spacer.

FIG. 33 is similar to FIG. 32, but shows the top noser slid verticallyrelative to the end frame spacer.

FIG. 34 is similar to FIG. 33, but shows the frame spacer without anoser.

FIG. 35 is an isolation rear view of a noser.

FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36-36 in FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention containing a dynamic noser assembly.

FIG. 38 is a close-up perspective view of the dynamic noser assemblyshown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is similar to FIG. 38, but shows a partial disassembly of theassembly.

FIG. 40 is similar to FIG. 39, but shows a further step in disassemblyof the assembly.

FIG. 41 is similar to FIG. 40, but shows a further step in disassemblyof the assembly.

FIG. 42 is an exploded view of the components in FIG. 38.

FIG. 43 is similar to FIG. 42 but shows the exploded view from analternative viewing angle.

FIG. 44 is an exploded top view of the dynamic noser assembly.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 45-45 in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 46-46 in FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 47-47 in FIG. 44.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 48-48 in FIG. 41.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention will be described in connection with one or morepreferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended tolimit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it isintended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as maybe included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined bythe appended claims.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.1-13. Turning now to FIG. 1, it is seen that a conveyor 10 isillustrated with a belt 20. A frame 30 is provided having ends 40 and50. An idler 41 is at end 40. A drive 51 is at end 50. Any items on thebelt 20 move relative to the frame 30 as the belt spins in a continuousloop about idlers at 41 and 51. The frame 30 has a frame longitudinalaxis.

A frame spacer 60 is shown in FIGS. 2-9. Frame spacer 60 has a top 61, abottom 62, a first side 63 and a second side 64. The top 61 has an edgewith a relief 65, which is a cut away section of the top. The relief 65preferably has side edges that are generally perpendicular to a reliefbottom edge. A lock 70, having a riser 71 and a head 72, upstands fromthe bottom edge. The riser 71 and head 72 lie in the same plane as thefront and rear faces of the frame spacer. The riser has a relativelynarrow width, and the head had a relatively wide width. In the regard,the lock 70 has a generally T-shaped profile. A second lock 80 is alsoprovided and has a riser 81 and a head 82. Lock 80 is preferably similaror the same as lock 70 in respect to size and function. It isappreciated that while two locks are illustrated, that there could bemore or fewer locks or locks of varying shapes without departing fromthe broad aspects of the present invention.

The frame spacer 60 generally lies in a plane that is perpendicular tothe frame longitudinal axis. A second frame spacer 90 can be provided.Frame spacer 90 lies in a plane that is parallel to the plane of framespacer 60.

Frame spacer 90 has a top 91, a bottom 92, a first side 93 and a secondside 94. The top 91 has an edge with a relief 95, which is a cut awaysection of the top. The relief 95 has side edges that are generallyperpendicular to a relief bottom edge. A lock 100, having a riser 101and a head 102, upstands from the relief bottom edge. The riser 101 andhead 102 lie in the same plane as the front and rear faces of the framespacer. The riser has a relatively narrow width, and the head had arelatively wide width. In the regard, the lock 100 has a generallyT-shaped profile. A second lock 110 is also provided and has a riser 111and a head 112. Lock 110 is preferably similar or the same as lock 100in respect to size and function. It is appreciated that while two locksare illustrated, that there could be more or fewer locks withoutdeparting from the broad aspects of the present invention.

It is appreciated that while two frame spacers 60 and 90 of this typeare illustrated, there could be more or fewer without departing from thebroad aspects of the present invention.

A third frame spacer 120 is further provided. Frame spacer 120 has a top121, a bottom 122 and two sides 123 and 124, respectively. A relief 125is provided. The relief has side edges that are generally perpendicularto a relief bottom edge. A tab 126 preferably upstands from the reliefbottom edge. A relief 127 is provided. The relief has side edges thatare generally perpendicular to a relief bottom edge. A tab 128preferably upstands from the relief bottom edge.

Frame spacer 120 is farther interior on the frame 30 relative to theidler 41 as compared to frame spacers 60 and 90.

A wear strip 150 is provided. Wear strip 150 can also be called an idlerwear strip, as it is positioned near an idler during use. Wear strip 150has a top 151, a bottom 152, a first side 153, a second side 154, afirst end 155 and a second end 156. Tabs can project from end 155 andspan between idler rollers. Four holes 160, 170, 180 and 190 are formedthrough the wear strip 150. Holes 160 and 170 are preferablylongitudinally aligned adjacent side 153. Holes 180 and 190 arepreferably aligned adjacent side 154. Each of the holes 160, 170, 180and 190 is preferably structurally similar or identical (although thereis no requirement that each hole be so similarly or identicallystructured). Hole 160 has an upper cavity 161 on about the top half ofthe wear strip. The cavity 161 can be square or rectangular in profilewhen viewed from above. A lower passage 162 is also provided. The lowerpassage 162 has a wide gap 163 and a narrow gap 164. The wide gap 163 ispreferably as wide as the upper cavity 161. The narrow gap 164 isnarrower than the upper cavity 161. The upper cavity 161 is open to thetop 151 of the wear strip 150. The lower passage 162 is open to theupper cavity 161 and to the bottom 152 of the wear strip 150.

The wear strip 150 is removably secured to frame spacers 60 and 90.Specifically, the locks can be received within holes on the wear strip.In the illustrated embodiment, there are four locks and four holes.There could be more or fewer locks and holes, or the locks may be shapeddifferently, and more than one wear strip as conveyor requirementsdictate. Yet, a preferred operation can be the same. In order to securethe wear strip 150 to the frame 30, the head 72 of lock 70 is insertedthrough the wide gap 163 in the lower passage 162 until it reaches theupper cavity 161. Then, the wear strip 150 is moved longitudinallytowards the idler 41 so that the riser 71 is received in the narrow gap164 of the lower passage 162. The riser 71 contacts an end of the narrowgap 164 forming a travel stop of the wear strip 150. That is, furtherlongitudinal travel is prohibited. Further, the head 72 is wider thanthe narrow gap 164 whereby the wear strip 150 cannot be vertically movedrelative to the frame spacer 60. Still further, the relieve side edgesengage the sides 153 and 154 of the wear strip 150 preventing lateralmovement of the wear strip 150 relative to the frame spacer 60. Similarengagement is made between lock 80 and hole 180. Further similarengagement is made between locks 100 and 110 of frame spacer 90 andholes 170 and 190, respectively.

A longitudinal wear strip 200 having opposed ends is provided. A hole201 is adjacent one or both ends of the strip 200. A second longitudinalwear strip 210 is also provided and has opposed ends. A hole 211 isadjacent one or both ends of the strip 210. Longitudinal wear strip canbe supported at one end by frame spacer 120. In this regard, the hole201 can be aligned with tab 126 whereby lowering of the longitudinalwear strip 200 fixes the strip in place. This is accomplishedlongitudinally by tab 126 and hole 201, and laterally by the side edgesof relief 125 engaging the sides of the longitudinal wear strip 200.Similarly, longitudinal wear strip can be supported at one end by framespacer 120. In this regard, the hole 211 can be aligned with tab 128whereby lowering of the longitudinal strip 210 fixes the strip in place.This accomplished longitudinally by tab 128 and hole 211, and laterallyby side edges of relief 127 engaging the sides of the longitudinal wearstrip 210.

It is noted that when the longitudinal wear strips 200 and 210 are inplace, that they abut the wear strip 150 thereby preventing it frommoving longitudinally relative to the frame 30. In this regard, thelongitudinal wear strips 200 and 210 complete the locking of the wearstrip 150.

While not shown, it is appreciated that a second wear strip, oppositelyoriented, can be at the other end 50 of the frame wherein the wear striptabs extend towards the drive 51. The same longitudinal wear strips cansimultaneously abut the second wear strip locking in into place as well.

Turning now to FIGS. 14-20, it is seen that an additional embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated. A conveyor 310 is provided havinga frame 320 with opposed sides 321 and 322, respectively. The frame 320has a top and a bottom. Eight frame spacers are illustrated. It isappreciated that while eight frame spacers are illustrated, that therecould be more or fewer without departing from the broad aspects of thepresent invention. Frame spacer 330 has two locks, namely lock 331 andlock 332. Frame spacer 340 has two locks, namely lock 341 and lock 342.Frame spacer 350 has two locks, namely lock 351 and lock 352. Framespacer 360 has two locks, namely lock 361 and lock 362. Frame spacer 370has two locks, namely lock 371 and lock 372. Frame spacer 380 has twolocks, namely lock 381 and lock 382. Frame spacer 390 has two locks,namely lock 391 and lock 392. Frame spacer 400 has two locks, namelylock 401 and lock 402. Each lock preferably has a riser and a head,wherein the head had a head width that is wider than riser width. Inthis regard, each lock preferably is generally T-shaped.

A wear strip 410 having holes 411, 412, 413 and 414 are provided. Eachhole has an upper cavity and a lower passage with a wide gap and anarrow gap. In this regard, each hole can interface with a lock.Specifically, the hole 411 can be secured by lock 331. Hole 412 can besecured by lock 341. Hole 413 can be secured by lock 351. Hole 414 canbe secured by lock 361. The wear strip is shown locked in FIG. 14 andunlocked in FIG. 16. The wear strip can be pivoted about the radius ofthe corner section of the frame to lock and unlock the wear strip.

A wear strip 420 having holes 421, 422, 423 and 424 are provided. Eachhole has an upper cavity and a lower passage with a wide gap and anarrow gap. In this regard, each hole can interface with a lock.Specifically, the hole 421 can be secured by lock 332. Hole 422 can besecured by lock 342. Hole 423 can be secured by lock 352. Hole 424 canbe secured by lock 362. The wear strip is shown locked in FIG. 14 andunlocked in FIG. 16. The wear strip can be pivoted about the radius ofthe corner section of the frame to lock and unlock the wear strip.

It is appreciated that wear strips 410 and 420 are an outer and innerpair of wear strips that approach one side of a corner. The wear stripsare unlocked by moving them away from the corner relative to the frame320.

A wear strip 430 having holes 431, 432, 433 and 434 are provided. Eachhole has an upper cavity and a lower passage with a wide gap and anarrow gap. In this regard, each hole can interface with a lock.Specifically, the hole 431 can be secured by lock 371. Hole 432 can besecured by lock 381. Hole 433 can be secured by lock 391. Hole 434 canbe secured by lock 401. The wear strip is shown locked in FIG. 14 andunlocked in FIG. 16. The wear strip can be pivoted about the radius ofthe corner section of the frame to lock and unlock the wear strip.

A wear strip 440 having holes 441, 442, 443 and 444 are provided. Eachhole has an upper cavity and a lower passage with a wide gap and anarrow gap. In this regard, each hole can interface with a lock.Specifically, the hole 441 can be secured by lock 372. Hole 442 can besecured by lock 382. Hole 443 can be secured by lock 392. Hole 444 canbe secured by lock 402. The wear strip is shown locked in FIG. 14 andunlocked in FIG. 16. The wear strip can be pivoted about the radius ofthe corner section of the frame to lock and unlock the wear strip.

It is appreciated that wear strips 430 and 440 are an outer and innerpair of wear strips that approach one side of a corner. The wear stripsare unlocked by moving them away from the corner relative to the frame320.

A lower spacer 450 having locks 451 and 452 is also provided. The locksare formed of inwardly oriented arms.

An outer guide 460 is shown. The outer guide 460 has a top lip 461 and abottom lip 462. The top and bottom lips 461 and 462 define a channel 463for receiving a belt. A slot 464 is formed in the outer side of theguide 460 (opposite side as channel 463). The lock 451 can lock theguide in place by securing to the slot 464. The guide is unlocked bypivoting the guide inwards so that the lock is no longer engaged withinthe slot. The guide cannot become unlocked when a belt is in place.

An inner guide 470 is shown. The inner guide 470 has a top lip 471 and abottom lip 472. The top and bottom lips 471 and 472 define a channel 473for receiving a belt. A slot 474 is formed in the outer side of theguide 470 (opposite side as channel 473). The lock 452 can lock theguide in place by securing to the slot 474. The guide is unlocked bypivoting the guide inwards so that the lock is no longer engaged withinthe slot. The guide cannot become unlocked when a belt is in place.

Turning now to FIGS. 21-25, it is seen that a conveyor 510 with a frame520 is provided. The frame 520 has a first section 521 separated from asecond section 522 with a joint 530. The frame changes pitch, orelevation, at the joint 530. Three pegs 531, 532 and 533 are inwardlyfacing from the joint. A cope 540 is illustrated having a top 541 and abottom 542. A slot 550 having a notch 551 is provided. A slot 560 havinga notch 561 is provided. A slot 570 having a notch 571 is provided. Thecope 540 is secured to the joint 530 by aligning the slots with thepegs, pressing the cope onto the pegs, and then twisting the cope 540 sothat the pegs are securely received within the respective notches of theslots. Disassembly occurs in the opposite manner.

An upper guide 580 is provided. A lower guide 590 having a first piece591 and a second piece 592 is also provided. The belt can pass betweenthe first and second pieces of the lower guide. The guides maintain thebelt is position relative to the frame when a change in pitch of theframe occurs to prevent separation of the belt from the frame.

Turning now to FIGS. 26-29, it is seen that another embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated. A conveyor 610 with a frame 620 isillustrated. The frame 620 has sides 621 and 622. A frame spacer 630 isshown. The frame spacer 630 has a first side 631 with a lock 632, and asecond side 633 with a lock 634. An end guide rail 640 is shown. Guiderail 640 has a vertical slot 641 and a horizontal slot 642. The rail islocked when the lock 632 is received within the horizontal slot 642. Asecond guide rail 650 is shown. Guide rail 650 has a vertical slot 651and a horizontal slot 652. The second guide is locked when lock 634 isreceived within the horizontal slot 652.

A frame spacer 660 is also shown. The frame spacer 660 has a first side661 with a lock 662, and a second side 663 with a lock 664. A side guiderail 670 is shown. Guide rail 670 has a vertical slot 671. The guiderail is locked when the lock 662 is received within the vertical slot671. A second guide rail 680 is shown. Guide rail 680 has a verticalslot 681. The second guide rail is locked when lock 664 is receivedwithin the vertical slot 681.

Guide rails 670 and 680, when installed, prevent the unlocking of endguide rails 640 and 650 by preventing longitudinal movement of the endguide rails.

Turning now to FIGS. 30-36, it is seen that an additional embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated. A conveyor 710 is shown with abelt in FIG. 30. The conveyor has a frame 720 with opposed sides 721 and722. An end frame spacer 730 is provided. The frame spacer 730 has threepegs 731, 732 and 733, respectively. Each peg has a post and a head thatis wider than the post. A return face 740 with three pegs 741, 742 and743, respectively, is also shown.

A noser 750 is removably supported by the end frame spacer 730. Thenoser 750 has a face 760 that is preferably rounded. The noser 750 alsohas a back 770 that is generally flat. A slot 771 with a notch 772 isprovided. A slot 773 with a notch 774 is also provided. A slot 775 witha notch 776 is also provided. The slots are formed into the back 770 ofthe noser 750 and are open to one side. The slots and notches arepreferably offset 90 degrees but could be angled differently withoutdeparting from the broad aspect of the present invention. The slots andnotches are undercut wherein they have inner portions that are widerthan outer portions, thereby providing wide areas to accommodate the pegheads in the slot and notch.

The noser 750 is secured to the spacer 730 by vertically aligning theslots with the pegs. The heads will fit into the wide inner portions ofthe slot as the noser is vertically moved into the slots. Then, thenoser is slid horizontally so that the pegs are moved into the notches,respectively. In this position, with a belt in place, the noser 750 willnot move as the belt moves. The noser 750 is removed from the end framespacer 730 in the opposite manner.

Noser 780 is connected to, and disconnected from, the return face 740 ina similar manner as noser 750 is with end frame spacer 730.

Turning now to FIGS. 37-48, it is seen that an additional embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated. A conveyor 810 is provided and isshown without a belt in FIG. 37. The conveyor 810 has a frame 820 withopposed sides 821 and 822. A noser frame assembly 830 is provided. Thenoser frame assembly 830 has a bracket 835 on side 821 and a bracket 840on side 822. The brackets 835 and 840 collectively support three framespacers 850, 870 and 890, respectively. While three frame spacers areillustrated in the preferred embodiment, it is appreciated that therecould be more or fewer (even a single integrated piece) withoutdeparting from the broad aspects of the present invention.

End frame spacer 850 has a top 860 and a bottom 865. Three pegs 861, 862and 863, respectively, upstand from the top 860. Each peg has a shaftand a head, wherein the head is wider than the shaft. Each head is atthe distal end of the respective peg separated from the respectivespacer by the respective shaft.

End frame spacer 870 has a top 880 and a bottom 885. Three pegs 881, 882and 883, respectively, upstand from the top 880. Three pegs 886, 887 and888, respectively, depend or extend down from the bottom 885. Each peghas a shaft and a head, wherein the head is wider than the shaft. Eachhead is at the distal end of the respective peg separated from therespective spacer by the respective shaft.

End frame spacer 890 has a top 900 and a bottom 905. Three pegs 906, 907and 908, respectively, depend or extend down from the bottom 905. Eachpeg has a shaft and a head, wherein the head is wider than the shaft.Each head is at the distal end of the respective peg separated from therespective spacer by the respective shaft.

The pegs on the three end frame spacers 850, 870 and 890 are laterallyaligned (three wide) and longitudinally aligned (two deep) with respectto the conveyor longitudinal axis as seen in FIGS. 39 and 40.

The noser frame assembly 830 removably supports dynamic noser assemblies910 and 1020. Dynamic noser assembly 1020 is preferably identical todynamic noser assembly 910. The dynamic noser assembly 910 has a noser920 and a bearing shaft 1000 supporting at least one bearing 1010. Thenoser is preferably made of a solid material such as a virgin UHMWmaterial. Yet, it is appreciated that other materials may be usedwithout departing from the broad aspects of the present invention.

The noser 920 has an inner side 921 (bottom side), an outer side 922(top side), opposed lateral sides 923 and 924, respectively, a rear side925 and a front side 926 (at end of conveyor). The noser front side 926lies in a noser front plane.

A channel 930 is formed into the front side 926 of the noser 920. Thechannel 930 has an interior 931 with opposed ends 932 and 933. Theinterior 931 of the channel 930 is open at one side between ends 932 and933. Opposite the open side of the channel is an innermost side. Theinnermost side is preferably generally rounded and sized to receive thebearing shaft 1000. The rounded portion is preferably wider in diameterthan the open side of the interior 931 of the channel 930 is tall. Thus,the smaller entry side of the interior 931 secures the bearing shaft1000 within the channel 930. As seen in FIGS. 45, 46 and 47, the channeldepth is decreased at the ends 932 and 933 so that the ends of thebearing shaft 1000 can be frictionally held by the channel 930 and alsoto prevent the bearing shaft 1000 from rotating relative to the channel930.

Several holes 940, 950, 960, 970, 980 and 990 are formed through thenoser. Holes 940, 950 and 960 are aligned between ends 923 and 924 ofthe noser as seen in FIG. 44. These three holes 940, 950 and 960preferably have the same structure. Hole 940 will be described forbrevity with the understanding that the other two holes are preferablyidentical.

Hole 940 has a slot 941 with a bottom entry 942 (through noser bottom)with a circular shape that is wide enough to allow a peg head to passthrough it. The slot is aligned in a direction spanning between thenoser front and rear sides. The hole 940 also has a notch 943. The notch943 is preferably offset from the slot 941 by 90 degrees but could beangled differently without departing from the broad aspect of thepresent invention. The notch 943 is preferably aligned in a directionparallel with the noser front plane. The slots and notches are undercutwherein they have outer portions 945 (preferably open to the noser outerside 922) that are wider than inner portions 946 (preferably open to thenoser inner side 921), thereby providing wide areas to accommodate thepeg heads in the slot and notch. The peg head wide wider than the innerportion so that the head cannot pass vertically through it.

Holes 970, 980 and 990 are aligned between ends 923 and 924 of the noseras seen in FIG. 44. These three holes 970, 980 and 990 preferably havethe same structure. Hole 970 will be described for brevity with theunderstanding that the other two holes are preferably identical.

Hole 970 has a slot 971 with a rear side entry 972 (through noser rearside 925). The slot 971 is aligned in a direction spanning between thenoser front and rear sides. The hole 970 also has a notch 973. The notch973 is preferably offset from the slot 971 by 90 degrees but could beangled differently without departing from the broad aspect of thepresent invention. The notch 973 is preferably aligned in a directionparallel with the noser front plane. The slots and notches are undercutwherein they have outer portions 975 (preferably open to the noser outerside 922) that are wider than inner portions 976 (preferably open to thenoser inner side 921), thereby providing wide areas to accommodate thepeg heads in the slot and notch. The peg head wide wider than the innerportion so that the head cannot pass vertically through it wherein thepegs can vertically lock the noser when the pegs are in the respectivenotches.

Holes 940 and 970 are longitudinally aligned relative to the conveyorlongitudinal axis. Holes 950 and 980 are longitudinally aligned relativeto the conveyor longitudinal axis. Holes 960 and 990 are longitudinallyaligned relative to the conveyor longitudinal axis.

Guide rails 1030 and 1040 are provided. Each guide rail has a front endwith a lower hook. The hooks can wrap around frame spacer 850. In thisregard, when the hooks engage the frame spacer 850, the guide rails arevertically locked in place. The guide rails are moved longitudinally asufficient distance so that the hooks do not engage the frame spacerbefore they can be removed from the frame 820.

The noser 920 is insertable onto and removable from the conveyor withouttools. Insertion is accomplished by aligning the six holes of the noser920 with the six upper pegs on the noser frame assembly. The pegs areinserted either through the bottom or rear entries and the noser 920 ismoved longitudinally (relative to the conveyor) through the respectiveslots and then moved laterally within the respective notches. In thisposition, the noser cannot move longitudinally relative to the frame(shaft of pegs contacts notches) and cannot be moved vertically (pegheads bound in outer portions and are wider than inner portions). Guiderails 1030 and 1040 are inserted to lock the noser 920 in place with thepegs received within the notches. In this regard, the guide rails 1030prevent the noser 920 from moving laterally relative to the frame. Thenoser 920 cannot be removed from the pegs when the pegs are receivedwithin the notches of the holes.

Removal of the noser 920 is illustrated in FIGS. 38-42. In FIG. 38, theguide rails 1030 and 1040 are in place in the noser 920 is locked. InFIG. 39, the guide rails 1030 and 1040 are moved longitudinally so thatthe hooks are fully disengaged from the frame spacer 850. The guiderails are illustrated being vertically removed in FIG. 40. Doing thislaterally unlocks the noser 920. In FIG. 41, the noser 920 is movedlaterally relative to the frame spacers 850, 870 and 890 to abut bracket835. Doing this moves the noser so that the peg shafts are moved out ofthe respective notches. In FIG. 42, after the noser has been movedforward relative to the frame 820, the noser 920 is lifted from the pegs(stationary) at the bottom or rear entry of the respective holes as thenoser is vertically moved.

The bearing shaft 1000 preferably has four bearings 1010. The bearings1010 rotate about the shaft 1000. The shaft can have a generallycircular profile along its longitudinal axis. The shaft 1000 ispreferably stationarily held by the noser within the preferably roundedinnermost portion of the interior 931 of the channel 930. It isappreciated that there could be more or fewer bearings without departingfrom the broad aspects of the present invention. The quantity ofbearings can depend on conveyor width or other factors.

Dynamic noser assembly 910 is preferably supported by the upstandingpegs at the distal end of the carry way. Dynamic noser assembly 1020 ispreferably supported by the depending or downward extending pegs at thebeginning or proximal end of the return path.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance withthe invention, a wear strip that fully satisfies the objects, aims andadvantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described inconjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that manyalternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly,it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, andvariations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appendedclaims.

We claim:
 1. A conveyor comprising: a frame with a frame spacer having alock, said frame having a frame path; a wear strip securable with saidlock; and a belt, said belt being movable relative to said wear strip ina direction parallel to said frame path, wherein said lock has a riserand a head, said riser having a riser width and said head having a headwidth, said head width being greater than said riser width.
 2. Theconveyor of claim 1 wherein: said frame spacer is a first frame spacer;said conveyor further comprises a second frame spacer; said lock is afirst frame spacer first lock, and said first frame spacer has a firstframe spacer second lock; and said second frame spacer has a secondframe spacer first lock and a second frame spacer second lock.
 3. Theconveyor of claim 2 wherein: said first frame spacer lies in a firstframe spacer plane; said second spacer lies in a second frame spacerplane; and said first frame spacer plane is parallel to said secondframe spacer plane and perpendicular to said frame path.
 4. The conveyorof claim 1 wherein said lock has a T-shaped profile viewed along saidframe path.
 5. The conveyor of claim 4 wherein said wear strip has ahole, said hole having an upper cavity and a lower passage.
 6. Theconveyor of claim 5 wherein said lower passage has a wide gap and anarrow gap.
 7. The conveyor of claim 6 wherein said hole locks said wearstrip relative to said frame when said wear strip moves in a directionparallel to said frame path.
 8. The conveyor of claim 7 wherein: saidwide gap has a wide gap width that is greater than said head width; saidnarrow gap has a narrow gap width that is smaller than said head widthand greater than said riser width; and when said wear strip is movedlongitudinally relative to said lock in a first direction so that saidriser is received within said narrow gap, said head cannot pass throughsaid lower passage.
 9. The conveyor of claim 8 further comprising alongitudinal wear strip, said longitudinal wear strip being insertableonto said frame adjacent said wear strip when said riser is receivedwithin said narrow gap, said longitudinal wear strip preventing saidriser from being removed from said narrow gap.
 10. The conveyor of claim1 further comprising a cope and a noser.
 11. The conveyor of claim 4wherein said frame path is along a longitudinal axis of said frame. 12.A conveyor comprising: a frame with a frame spacer and a frame path; awear strip movable in directions parallel to said frame path; alongitudinal wear strip, wherein in a locked position, said longitudinalwear strip prevents said wear strip from moving in one directionparallel to said frame path and the frame spacer prevents said wearstrip from moving in a second direction opposite of said firstdirection; and a belt, said belt being movable relative to said framealong said frame path, wherein said frame spacer has a lock with a riserand a head, said riser having a riser width and said head having a headwidth, said head width being greater than said riser width.
 13. Theconveyor of claim 12 said lock has a T-shaped profile viewed along saidframe path.
 14. The conveyor of claim 13 wherein said wear strip has ahole, said hole having an upper cavity and a lower passage.
 15. Theconveyor of claim 14 wherein: said lower passage has a wide gap and anarrow gap, said wide gap has a wide gap width that is greater than saidhead width, said narrow gap has a narrow gap width that is smaller thansaid head width and greater than said riser width; and said hole lockssaid wear strip relative to said frame when said wear strip moves in adirection parallel to said longitudinal axis so that said riser isreceived within said narrow gap and said head cannot pass through saidlower passage.
 16. The conveyor of claim 15 wherein said longitudinalwear strip is insertable onto said frame adjacent said wear strip whensaid riser is received within said narrow gap preventing said riser frombeing removed from said narrow gap.
 17. The conveyor of claim 12 saidframe spacer is a first frame spacer; said conveyor further comprises asecond frame spacer; said first frame spacer has a first frame spacerfirst lock and a first frame spacer second lock; said second framespacer has a second frame spacer first lock and a second frame spacersecond lock; said wear strip has a wear strip first hole engageable withsaid first frame spacer first lock, a wear strip second hole engageablewith said first frame spacer second lock; a wear strip third holeengageable with said second frame spacer first lock and a wear stripfourth hole engageable with said second frame spacer second lock; saidfirst frame spacer lies in a first frame spacer plane; said secondspacer lies is a second frame spacer plane; and said first frame spacerplane is parallel to said second frame spacer plane and perpendicular tosaid frame path.
 18. The conveyor of claim 13 wherein said frame path isalong a longitudinal axis of said frame.
 19. A wear strip comprising: atop; and a bottom, wherein there is at least one hole though said wearstrip between said top and said bottom, said at least one hole having anupper cavity and a lower passage, said lower passage having a wide gapand a narrow gap.
 20. The wear strip of claim 19 wherein: said uppercavity is closer to said top and said lower passage is closer to saidbottom; and said wear strip further comprises a first end and a secondend, said wide gap being closer to said first end and said narrow gapbeing closer to said second end.
 21. The wear strip of claim 20 whereinat least one tab projects from said first end.
 22. The wear strip ofclaim 20 wherein: said at least one hole comprises a first hole, asecond hole, a third hole and a further hole; and a first line betweensaid first hole and said second hole is parallel to a second linebetween said third hole and said fourth hole.
 23. A conveyor comprising:a frame with a frame spacer and a frame path; a wear strip movable indirections parallel to said frame path; a longitudinal wear strip,wherein in a locked position, said longitudinal wear strip prevents saidwear strip from moving in one direction parallel to said frame path andthe frame spacer prevents said wear strip from moving in a seconddirection opposite of said first direction; and a belt, said belt beingmovable relative to said frame along said frame path, wherein: saidframe spacer is a first frame spacer; said conveyor further comprises asecond frame spacer; said first frame spacer has a first frame spacerfirst lock and a first frame spacer second lock; said second framespacer has a second frame spacer first lock and a second frame spacersecond lock; said wear strip has a wear strip first hole engageable withsaid first frame spacer first lock, a wear strip second hole engageablewith said first frame spacer second lock; a wear strip third holeengageable with said second frame spacer first lock and a wear stripfourth hole engageable with said second frame spacer second lock; saidfirst frame spacer lies in a first frame spacer plane; said secondspacer lies is a second frame spacer plane; and said first frame spacerplane is parallel to said second frame spacer plane and perpendicular tosaid frame path.
 24. The conveyor of claim 23 wherein said frame path isalong a longitudinal axis of said frame.
 25. A wear strip comprising: atop; and a bottom, wherein the wear strip has at least one hole open tosaid bottom, said at least one hole having an upper cavity and a lowerpassage, said lower passage having a wide gap and a narrow gap.